If the Devils were the only team interested in Fiala, and the Wild's only option was to trade him, you might have a solid point. But they're not, and it's not, so you don't.

You have absolutely no idea what teams are interested (besides NJD and OTT) and what might be offered. Will there be a big market for him with a huge bidding war? Maybe. Will there be a limited market for him due to the Wild's cap? maybe.

His name has been out there since last summer. It takes trading away 2 liabilities to keep Fiala. You’re turning this in your favor way too hard.

Why would the Wild's cap have any effect whatsoever on which of the 31 other teams in the league are interested in having Fiala play for their team?

Do you think Buffalo is like, man, we really want Fiala, but Minnesota has no cap space, so I guess we'll just find a different player?

No but maybe teams won't offer a ton because of your situation. Or maybe they won't want to pay Fiala 7.5+

Like I said, there may be a huge market. There may be a limited market. But I don't remember a situation in which the cap-strapped team got good value for the player they trade away.

They should do that, then, and keep the ppg winger and ignore every trade offer

I’d agree, unfortunately that doesn’t seem to be Guerin’s plan.

Because he likely can’t afford to keep him…right?

Or Fiala was never in his long-term plans.

The point per game guy? Not in the long term plan? Well alright then.

Sounds about right to me.
I didn’t give too much thought into dollar figures.

This was the offer that has been around for a while from caps fans. I actually added the pick.

I would prefer Vanacek anyway

I think it’s silly to hold out for the 1st.

Which is better?

1. Pick #32
2. Pick #37, 2023 2nd, Zetterlund, Boqvist

Maybe so. But if Fiala wants to extend in NJ, but not in Buffalo or Ottawa, what then?

A pick in the 7-15 range.

Then we keep Fiala😂😂 I don’t know how many times I have to tell you this before you understand it.

Because it's incredibly short-cited and foolish of any young player to limit where they're willing to sign.

And I guarantee his agent is advising against that. The more teams involved who're interested in him the better it is for both Guerin AND Fiala. The more teams Fiala is willing to sign with the more his agent has the leverage necessary to set the price on his clients next contract. The less teams he's willing to sign with the less leverage his agent has as well. It's just as bad for Fiala if he limits where he wants or is willing to go.

It's no different then if Fiala was an UFA. The more teams talking to his agent, the more money he can make by starting a bidding war.

7. OTT - Dint see them trading pick
8. DET - Maybe for a center, but for a winger?
9. BUF - Will Fiala chose to extend there?
10. ANA - Maybe the best bet, but not sure if they do for winger
11. SJS - No cap space
12. CBJ - again, for a Center, maybe, for a winger unlikely
13. NYI - No cap, other needs
14. WPG - unlikely
15. VAN - they are trying to reduce payroll

Anaheim is probably the best bet there, but they would likely offer pick #23 and a cheaper player.

A bidding war on the contract or on the trade?

If they collect 31 extension offers, pick the best and go to Guerin and say they want to go there. Guerin will have hard time creating a bidding war on the trade.

If they say they will sign extension anywhere he is dealt, Guerin will have tons of great offers, but Fiala gets less $$.

It's both. I'm not certain why they have to be separate in your eyes. It's not just an either/or scenario here.

Hypothetically, if Guerin has say 5 teams interested in Fiala, Fiala's agent is going to be talking to 5 different GM's. That's a good situation for Fiala's agent to be in.

If Fiala limits himself to just one destination, that GM has greater leverage in contract negotiations, and Fiala will potentially have to take less on his next deal. Which is less ideal for him.

If 3 out of the 5 teams are within the agent's asking price but differ on the total AAV but meet the agent and Fiala's criteria and are willing to sign with any of them Guerin can still select whichever one of the three that gives the best return.

Fiala ultimately doesn't decide where he gets to go. Guerin does. That hasn't changed. But by that same token, having more teams involved means Fiala is getting the best deal possible on his next contract with his next team even if it might not be the best one on offer. He still wins by getting more than if he limited himself to one team, and one team only.

Good luck lol

If Devils fans didn't have strawman arguments, they wouldn't have anything.

?? Not sure what’s so hard about it, it’s very doable.